New Doctor Who Companion Announced

Jenna-Louise Coleman has been announced by Steven Moffat as the new Doctor Who Companion. Jenna-Louise, 25, from Blackpool will star along side the 11th Doctor, Matt Smith.

Jenna-Louise Coleman starred in Emmerdale as Jasmine Thomas and in Waterloo Road as Lindsay James. Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will leave the show after one final series of roller-coaster adventures, which will air later this year on BBC One.

On hearing the news Jenna says: "I'm beyond excited, I can't wait to get cracking; working alongside Matt I know is going to be enormous fun and a huge adventure".

The doctor will meet his new heroine as the show builds up to a climatic 50th Anniversary. The 7th series is currently being filmed with 14 big episodes, new monsters and old as you've never seen them before.

Steven Moffat said today "It always seems impossible when you start casting these parts, but when we saw Matt and Jenna together, we knew we had our girl. She's funny and clever and exactly mad enough to step on board the TARDIS."

Controller of BBC One, Danny Cohen, says "As we approach Doctor Who's 50th anniversary it's great to welcome a new companion to the TARDIS. I feel confident the Doctor will look after her in his own very unique style.﻿"

2011 has been a big year for Jenna who made her big screen debut in the summer blockbuster Captain America: The First Avenger and will star in the TV3 co-produced Titanic and she has just finished up on Stephen Poliakoff's Dancing On The Edge for BBC 2.